Thanks to mobile technology, Los Angelenos no longer have to choose between driving their own cars and paying expensive cab fares after a night out on the town.
Lyft, Uber, Sidecar, and similar companies connect drivers with riders via smartphone Apps. User feedback suggests that the easy-to-use Apps cut down on drunk driving as well as road congestion, Ian Lovett writes.
Newly-minted Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has championed the city's move away from its celebrated "culture of car ownership". But many taxi drivers aren’t happy with the App-based ride-share revolution. Last month, three App companies received cease-and-desist orders from the city, but cooperation has been minimal.
Safety is also a concern, at least for L.A.’s taxicab administrator. “I’m honestly worried for the drivers of those companies,” he said. “I have two daughters in their 20s, and I would never let them driver for those companies.”
Read the full story: Where Car Is King, Smartphones May Cut Traffic
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FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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